Handbag and case with multi-purpose strap

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a handbag or case that includes a body, first and second body fasteners fixedly coupled to the body, and a selectively removable and attachable handbag strap coupled to the body. The strap has first and second ends, where the first end includes a first strap fastener and the second end includes a second strap fastener. The strap is attached to the body by coupling the first body fastener to the first strap fastener, and by coupling the second body fastener to the second strap fastener. The strap is removed from the body by detaching the first body fastener from the first strap fastener, and by detaching the second body fastener from the second strap fastener. The first and second strap fasteners of the removed strap are coupled together, so that the strap is worn as jewelry. In another embodiment, the body has a plurality of belt loops and the strap has a belt buckle at one end. When the strap is removed, it is worn as a belt around the beltline of a person by buckling the buckle.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/222,509, filed on Aug. 2, 2000 for Kammi Reiss entitled, “HANDBAG WITH MULTI-PURPOSE STRAP.” The contents of this provisional application is fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a bag or case having a multi-purpose strap. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pocketbook, handbag, purse, clutch, briefcase, duffle, sportsbag, and the like, having a selectively removable strap that is used as jewelry or a belt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Fashion accessories are immensely popular with men and women alike. Such fashion accessories include handbags, briefcases, jewelry, and belts to name a few. For example, handbags (and even briefcases) are manufactured and sold in a virtually infinite number of sizes, textures, and colors. Similarly, jewelry, such as neckless', anklets, bracelets, and waist jewelry, come in many different configurations as well. Hereinafter, a handbag will be defined to include all purses, clutches, pocketbooks, and the like, and a case will be defined to include all briefcases, duffles, sportsbags, and the like.

[0004] In regard to handbags and cases, many include a strap, handle or both. Further, it is known that some handbags and cases have removable straps or handles. This is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,729 to Schwartz. However, once the strap is removed, it is typically placed inside the bag or case itself, or left in a remote location.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,084 to Jackson describes luggage having a removable shoulder strap with a utility pouch. The strap is attached to the luggage via a pair of clips on the strap and on the top of the luggage. The removed strap can be placed around a person's waist using the strap's two clips to form a “fanny pack.” However, the fanny pack does not act as a functional belt.

[0006] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a handbag or case having a selectively removable strap that is worn as jewelry.

[0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a handbag or case having a selectively removable strap that is worn as a belt.

[0008] Various other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the ensuing detailed description and the novel features which will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] These and other objectives are realized by a handbag or case having a selectively removable strap. The removable strap, when removed from the bag, may be used as a neckless, bracelet, anklet, belt and the like.

[0010] The inventive bag or case may be of any size and shape and may be formed of any known material. The strap, may be, e.g., made of strung beads, fabric, animal skin, metal, plastic, or any other material. The length of the strap may vary, as desired. For example, a small purse may have a strap of a length that would be preferable to wear as a bracelet or anklet. However, a large pocketbook may have a strap of a length preferable for a necklace or waste jewelry. Of course, a necklace length strap may be used as a bracelet or anklet by doubling or tripling the times the strap is wrapped around one's wrist or ankle, respectively. The strap may also be multiple strands of strung beads, fabric, animal skin, metal, plastic, etc.

[0011] The strap may be removably affixed to the bag via fasteners at either end. The fasteners may be a conventional eye and clamp pair, as shown, or any other conventional means for coupling the ends of a neckless together. For example, the ubiquitous clasp or “lobster claw” and eye may be implemented. The bag, in turn, preferably will have the same fasteners permanently attached therein. Thus, to affix the strap to the bag, the clamp of the strap would affix to the eye of the bag. Conversely, the eye of the strap would affix to the clamp of the bag.

[0012] In another embodiment, the strap may also be of a form similar to a conventional waist belt. In this embodiment, the bag will preferably have a plurality of belt loops to accept the strap therethrough. The belt loops of the bag are similar to belt loops around the waist of a pair of pants. Accordingly, to affix the strap to the bag, the strap would be threaded through the bag's belt loops. Thereafter, the buckle of the belt would be secured via the plurality of belt holes in the strap. Thus, the length of the strap is fully adjustable.

[0013] As a further aspect of the invention, the inventive handbag or case, having the multi-purpose strap, is also applicable to toys. For example, the handbag and removable strap may be utilized as doll “accessories.”

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The following detailed description, given by way of example and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015]FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a handbag having a pair of fasteners (an eye and a clamp) therein for removably affixing a strap thereto, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG 1B illustrates a handbag strap, having a fastener at each end (an eye and a clamp), for removably affixing the strap to the handbag of FIG 1A or for coupling each said end to each other to form a neckless, bracelet, anklet and the like, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 1C illustrates the strap (neckless, bracelet, anklet) of FIG 1B affixed to the handbag of FIG 1A, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a handbag or case having a plurality of belt loops for removably affixing a strap thereto, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 2B illustrates a handbag or case strap, having a buckle and a plurality of belt holes, that may be removably affixed to the handbag of FIG. 2A or may be used as a waist belt and the like, in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 2C illustrates the strap (belt) of FIG. 2B affixed to the handbag of FIG. 2A, in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] In a first embodiment, FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate the inventive handbag or case having a selectively removable strap to be worn as jewelry. In FIG. 1A, body 10 of the handbag 25 (see FIG 1C) is shown having a clasp 12 and an eye 14 attached to its top inside portion. It should be understood, that the clasp 12 and eye 14 are mere examples of fasteners, and that any type of fasteners may be used. In fact, both 12 and 14 may be the same type of clip. Further, it should be understood that the clasp 12 and eye 14 may be placed on the top or outside of body 10.

[0022] FIG 1B illustrates a strap 20 of handbag 25. As with body 10, the strap has a clasp 22 at one end and an eye 24 at the other end. Of course, other types (or the same type) of fasteners can be used. The handbag 25 having body 10 and strap 20 is shown connected in FIG IC.

[0023] In FIG. 1C, clasp 22 of strap 20 is affixed to eye 12 of body 10. Similarly, eye 24 of strap 20 is affixed to clasp 14 of body 10. When strap 20 is removed, as shown in FIG. 1B, the strap, which is in essence jewelry to be worn directly on a person, may be clasped together around the person's neck, wrist, ankle, or waist as desired.

[0024] In a second embodiment, FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate the inventive case or handbag having a selectively removable strap to be worn as a belt. In FIG. 2A, body 30 of the case 50 (see FIG. 2C) is shown having a plurality of belt loops 32 placed around the entire circumference of body 30. Of course, there may be more or less belt loops 32 as desired. Further, the belt loops 32 may be formed in the inside circumference of the body as well.

[0025]FIG. 2B illustrates a strap 40 of case 50. Strap 40 includes a buckle assembly 45 having a buckle finger 47. Further, strap 40 includes a plurality of buckle holes 42. Although FIG. 2B and 2C illustrate strap 40 with equidistant holes along the entire length of strap 40, such holes may be formed asymmetrically along only a portion of the length of the strap. It should be appreciated that other types of buckle assemblies, although not shown, may be used in the present embodiment. For example, the buckle assembly may have a tension rod instead of a buckle finger. Of course, if a tension rod is used, then buckle holes are not necessary.

[0026] In FIG. 2C, strap 40 is threaded through the belt loops 32 of body 30. The buckle assembly 45 affixes the strap 40 to body 30. Specifically, the buckle finger 47 is accepted into one of the belt holes 32, and is secured like a convention belt buckle. Of course, strap 40 is adjustable in length depending on which hole 32 is utilized. When removed, as shown in FIG. 2B, a person may thread the belt through the loops around the waist of one's pants, and buckle the strap to hold up one's pants or for aesthetic purposes.

[0027] Finally, it should be understood that the foregoing description is merely illustrative of the invention. Numerous alternative embodiments within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A handbag, comprising: a body; first and second body fasteners fixedly coupled to said body; and a selectively removable and attachable handbag strap coupled to said body, said strap having first and second ends, wherein the first end includes a first strap fastener and the second end includes a second strap fastener, wherein said strap is attached to said body by coupling said first body fastener to said first strap fastener, and by coupling said second body fastener to said second strap fastener, wherein said strap is removed from said body by detaching said first body fastener from said first strap fastener, and by detaching said second body fastener from said second strap fastener, and wherein the first and second strap fasteners of the removed strap are coupled together, so that said strap is worn as jewelry.
 2. The handbag of claim 1, wherein said handbag strap is at least one of a neckless, bracelet, anklet, and waist jewelry.
 3. The handbag of claim 2, wherein said first body fastener and said second strap fastener are substantially the same.
 4. The handbag of claim 3, wherein said second body fastener and said first strap fastener are substantially the same.
 5. The handbag of claim 4, wherein said handbag strap is worn as jewelry by one of a person and doll.
 6. A case, comprising: a body having a plurality of belt loops around the circumference of the body; and a selectively removable and attachable case strap coupled to said body, said strap having first and second ends, wherein the first end includes a belt buckle having a buckle finger, and wherein said strap includes a plurality of holes to accept said buckle finger, wherein said strap is attached to said body by threading said strap through said belt loops and by buckling said buckle finger through one of said plurality of holes, wherein said strap is removed from said body unbuckling said buckle finger from said one of said plurality of holes, and wherein the removed strap is worn as a belt around the beltline of a person by buckling said buckle finger through one of said plurality of holes.
 7. The case of claim 6, wherein said body is one of a handbag, briefcase and duffle.
 8. A case, comprising: a body having a plurality of belt loops around the circumference of the body; and a selectively removable and attachable case strap coupled to said body, said strap having first and second ends, wherein the first end includes a belt buckle, wherein said strap is attached to said body by threading said strap through said belt loops and by buckling said buckle, wherein said strap is removed from said body by unbuckling said buckle and by unthreading said strap from said belt loops of said body, and wherein the removed strap is worn as a belt around the beltline of a person by buckling said buckle.
 9. The case of claim 8, wherein said body is one of a handbag, briefcase and duffle. 